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Fox tackles contemporary 'Dwarfs'

Dramedy tentatively titled 'Georgia and the Seven Associates'

Heigh-ho! Fox is developing a contemporary take on the classic Walt Disney tale of "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" from producers Chris Brancato and Bert Salke, feature writers David Weissman and David Diamond and director Ken Kwapis.

Tentatively titled "Georgia and the Seven Associates," the hourlong dramedy, produced by ABC Studios, is tonally described as "The Devil Wears Prada" meets "Taxi" set in Los Angeles' legal circles.

It centers on Georgia Burnett, a young lawyer who is banished from a top law firm run by her stepmother and forced to team up with seven quirky lawyers at a storefront legal office.

"It is 'L.A. Law' vs. the little engine that could," said Brancato, who is writing the script with Weissman and Diamond.

The associates at the firm will have the personalities of the Seven Dwarfs. For instance, Doc is an ambulance chaser who carries neck braces in his trunk, and Sleepy is a bike messenger who parties at night and naps in the office.

Some of the legal cases will be modernized fairy tales, like one about three people whose homes were taken away by Wolf Corp.

However, "the tone we are looking to do is grounded, and the humor comes out of the characters," Brancato said.

That is the reason Brancato and Salke invited Kwapis, who helmed the pilot for NBC's Emmy-winning comedy "The Office," to direct the pilot for "Georgia," which has a put pilot commitment from Fox.

Kwapis will exec produce the pilot with creators Brancato, Salke, Weissman and Diamond.

ABC Studios-based Brancato and Salke got the inspiration for the project from the view from their offices on the Disney lot, which oversee the Team Disney executive building that features a fascia of the seven dwarfs holding up the roof.

"We thought while we're sitting here, we may as well use some of Walt's creative ideas," Brancato said, adding that the project was developed with the blessing of the Disney-owned ABC Studios.

"Georgia" is one of a half-dozen projects Brancato and Salke have in the works for next season. And the two are awaiting word on their pilot, "The Prince of Motor City," which is in contention at ABC.

Weissman and Diamond's upcoming movies include "Old Dogs" and "When in Rome," while Kwapis most recently directed the upcoming feature comedy "He's Just Not That Into You."

"Georgia" was packaged by UTA, which reps Brancato, Salke, Weissman, Diamond and Kwapis.